Posts by Sacha
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So I'm not sure anything should be off the table for humour. It's an essential part of human nature. It will always be about how it is done, and who is having the fun poked at them.
Context counts. This wasn't a stand-up performance or a carefully scripted film. Not a satirical revue or a political rally.
It was a party. Supposedly in a centre of higher learning. Full of a group of people with certain backgrounds, in a particular place and in a broader context of local historical knowledge and social and political change.
However, they chose powerful and resonant cultural symbols, either in ignorance or lack of compassion about the impact. Who knows? It seems legitimate to question what that choice says about that group of people and about us as a society.
Retaining a sense of fun is not mutually exclusive with that. But where's the satire in this example?
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They are all big Formula 1 fans?
subtlenui
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I'd put money on it being no more complicated than "I've just seen Inglourious Basterds."
Wahey, them German miliary are so cool man, and like they had tragic prisoners that I could look like by just wrapping this sheet like so and where's that marker pen. Oh, and...
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I give you that a lot of people don't much care about foreign disasters, rating them less interesting than local weather conditions.
Haven't been following this much, but I reckon the number of Samoans living here makes it a more "local" story than most exotic disaster pron.
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Joe, I realise it's not for you directly, but I want to make sure you and the recipient are not disadvantaged by speaking up. Age Concern seems a sensible place to start. And yes, the current generation of seniors tends to meekly take what they are given even when it is manifestly disrespectful of all they have contributed over their lifetimes. Watch for that to change as the boomers get older.
Rationing is common in most of the disability and aged-care system. The buck certainly stops with the Minister whose budget it is - probably Tony Ryall with Health. Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia has a principled interest in a functioning disability services system (but no budget to do anything about it). Starting with the Minister means it will make its way down to the right level to answer the question. Not necessarily quickly or willingly, mind, but at least you do not have to figure out exactly who to approach.
A decent advocate should be able to help with all that - which is why stronger advocacy services were a key recommendation of last year's select committee into improving disability services. The Health and Disability Commission also operates a nationwide advocacy service, but they can only address the quality of services actually provided, not refusal or failure to provide them. Another recommended change waiting for Ministers to pull finger..
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Thanks, Christopher.
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Hilary, I meant advocacy organisations well-placed to understand respite matters and to have the right relationships and resources to help constructively.
After what I've seen over the last few years I would never again expect some of the Misery of Health's staff to behave sensitively or even with basic human decency. And I'd say we both agree that Joe deserves someone alongside him to take this on if it is a broader problem.
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Quite. Lest we forget:
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Thanks, Matthew. Interesting symbolism nonetheless.
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Not tsunami related, but gosh those private schools clearly need the recent cash injection from govt.
Luxury hotel and spa Hotel du Vin has been sold to Dilworth School for an undisclosed figure and is to be converted into a rural campus.
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